JOHN Deere Power Systems in the US has introduced the PowerTech PWL 4.5L engine, which will meet Final Tier 4/Stage IV emissions regulations without a diesel particulate filter (DPF).

The 63kW to 104kW (85hp to 140hp) engine was announced at Bauma 2013 in Munich, and complements the already announced John Deere lineup of Final Tier 4/Stage IV off-highway diesel engines rated 36kW to 448kW (48hp to 600hp).

The PowerTech PWL 4.5L engine reduces cost and improves engine packaging by eliminating the DPF - while still meeting customer performance expectations for applications in the 56kW to 104kW (75hp to 140hp) power segment.

The PowerTech PWL 4.5L is equipped with an Integrated Emissions Control system consisting of selective catalytic reduction (SCR), a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology. Elimination of the DPF was enabled through combustion system optimisation and improvements in SCR system conversion efficiency.

"We believe the elimination of the DPF will serve OEMs and end users well in the very competitive 56 kW to 104 kW (75 hp to 140 hp) segment, balancing packaging and product cost considerations with performance and operating cost requirements," said John Piasecki, director of marketing, sales and customer support for John Deere Power Systems.

"We expect emissions technologies will continue to evolve and improve, and we'll adopt those changes when available to improve the customer experience."

The introduction of the PowerTech PWL 4.5L engine represents the third Integrated Emissions Control system configuration John Deere will offer for Final Tier 4/Stage IV.

For the 36kW to 55kW (48hp to 74hp) power range, John Deere will offer models using a DOC/DPF without cooled EGR or SCR. The PowerTech PWL 4.5L in the 56kW to 104kW (75hp to 140hp) power range will be equipped with an Integrated Emissions Control system configured with SCR, a DOC and cooled EGR. Engine models above 104kW (140hp) will feature an Integrated Emissions Control system consisting of cooled EGR, a DOC/DPF and SCR. All John Deere Integrated Emissions Control systems are exclusively designed to meet the specific demands of off-highway applications in the given power categories.

"We're confident that all of our solutions will deliver industry leading performance and value while also meeting required long term emissions compliance."

John Deere did attain an industry leading fuel economy position with its Tier 3/Stage III A and Interim Tier 4/Stage III B engines. With the move to SCR technology for Final Tier 4/Stage IV engines, total fluid economy becomes important, and John Deere is confident that its total fluid operating costs will continue that industry leadership. Total fluid economy takes into account an engine's total fluid consumption, including diesel fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). DEF consumption with John Deere Final Tier 4/Stage IV engines will be 1 to 4 percent of diesel fuel consumption depending on the application. Low DEF consumption also means 1) the DEF tank size can be smaller, minimizing space required on vehicles, 2) extended DEF filter service intervals, and 3) less on-site bulk storage requirements.

"Staying true to our building block approach, we have adopted the best available technologies to meet Final Tier 4/Stage IV regulations while minimising the impact on OEMs and end users," Mr Piasecki said.

"The Integrated Emissions Control system in its various configurations represents technology optimization that achieves emissions compliance, and delivers the power, performance, ease of operation, fluid efficiency, reliability, durability and economical operating cost customers expect from John Deere."

John Deere has an established record of reliability, accumulating over 22 million operating hours with various after treatment technologies. John Deere claims a large dedicated in-house aftertreatment team, working with a mature exhaust filter and SCR supply chain, all to provide a field-proven Final Tier 4/Stage IV product lineup.

The worldwide John Deere dealer network of over 4000 service locations will be trained to fully support customers and their Final Tier 4/Stage IV engines.